Online+Identity


 * Assignment 1 - Online Identity - Working with Web 2.0 tools**

//What issues might be involved in having an online presence?// Having an online identity means that any one in the world that has access to the internet may be able to view your personal information. The issue of revealing identies over the internet is one to think about when joining social networks. Personal information such as your birth date and living location should not be in the view of just anyone, because of the risk of identity theft. I have been careful in the creation of my online identities to not reveal such information. However, in joining social communities such as Facebook, Wikispaces and me.edu.au I know that only people I accept to view my pages will be able to view it, so I feel that I am a safe online user. In a school environment it is important that teachers monitor students online activities and be careful that when using Web 2.0 tools that it is always kept private. As a teacher, internet safety needs to be kept in mind at all times in regards to your students having an online presence. I think that by educating students on how to use the internet safely and promoting safe online learning than students will be safer online users, rather than viewing internet use as a danger. If teacher's are involved in their student's online presence then they can ensure that they are using the internet responsibly and respectfully.

//Which tools do you think will be most useful for your own professional and personal life?// As a teacher, I think that the most useful tools for me to use would be Delicious and Me.edu.au. I have already found Delicious unbelievably helpful with keeping track of my online resources and will definitely be using it for a long time! Me.edu.au has provided me with a professional network that I think will really help me as a teacher to keep up to date with new information on Australian education. Apart from these tools, other online interactive activities such as those that are used with a Smartboard will also be excellent resources to use that will enrich my students learning. Digital Video Cameras could be used in areas of learning such as Physical Education, in a way of analysing student movement, where students can video themselves being involved in physical activity and then watch this and think about the ways they are moving and how they could improve.

As a future primary school teacher I think the most useful web 2.0 tool would have to be Wikispaces, simply because it is a safe and effective way of having students interact purposefully online. Having the ability to monitor students interaction and conversations on particular topics through a wiki is invaluable to the development of students multimedia literacy skills, social skills and other related personal skills. In my professional experience in a school in the Mid North of South Australia I have seen an online wiki being used successfully in a year five classroom. The teacher used it as meeting place for students to discuss projects that they are working on and to share ideas and opinions with the teacher and their peers. The students like having this online community because they are able to engage in learning whilst they aren't at school and have it monitored by their teacher so that it is a safe online environment to be involved in.